Steering drive axle



Aug. 20, 1940.v B. w. KEEsE 2,212,193

STEERING DRIVE AXLB Filed May 28, 1940 gmc/who@ Bex/@fly Pif/@ese "Patented ug. 20, 1940 OIL-*Fics y' 27,212,193 STEERING naive AxLE Bem-1y w. Reese, Oshkosh, wis.,

linken-Detroit, Axle Company,

a corporation of Ohio assignor to The- Detroit,4 Mich.,

Application May 28, 1940, Serial No. 337,708

11 claims.

`This invention relates to drive axles for vehicles and the like, more particularly to drive axles, known in the art as steering drive axles, having dirlgible wheelsV for steering purposes.

In my prior Patent No. 1,995,987, granted March 26, 1935, I have shown a steering drive axle embodying a spindle mounted for steering movement on a stationary housing, and a hub journalled on the spindle and connected to a driving shaft in the stationary housing by means of ya .universal joint.

Although the axle of Patent No. 1,995,987 represented a great advance in the art, and is still in wide use today, it is open to objections in certain classes of service. It is found that, in order to insure quiet and efcient operation, with a minimum of friction, it is necessary to main- 4 tain yaccurate alignment of the steering axis flection in the driving shaft turning axis of the universal joint, by inserting or removing shims from between the cap and the hub, to adjust the shafts and universal joint axially into the proper position. Improper alignment results in either increased friction in the balls of the joint or debetween the joint and the center or differential driving unitof the axle, orboth, and it also renders the operation noisy;

and the oscillating or materially impairs the efciency; and reduces the life of the unit.

Although in axles of fairly small capacity it is not expensive to accurately dimension the parts to secure proper initial alignment and no great dimculties are experienced in maintaining the proper adjustment throughout the life of the axle, in large units, particularly certain units designed ior other than truck use, it is costly to manufacture them with the proper degree of accuracy to insure correct alignment and is often very troublesome, if notimpracticaL-to maintain the alignment in the field through the adjustment just discussed.

I have new discovered that by mounting the shaft and universal joint assembly for free axial movement, and providing stops to limit the range of movement, it is unnecessary to manufacture the unit with the degree of accuracy required in the construction shown in Patent No. 1,995,987, and at the same time yit is possible in many instances to ohviate adjustingj the unit throughout its life.A

It is accordingly the major object of this invention to provide a steering drive axle in which the shafts and universal joint are free to undergo a limited amount of axial-movement as the spindle undergoes steering movement, to allow the oscillating axis of the join to automatically center itself with respect to the steering axis.

Another important object is to provide a steering drive axle .in which the shafts and universal joint are adapted to undergo free axial sliding -5 movement, with stop means fory limiting the amount of movement in each direction for preventing the oscillating axis of the joint from moving out of the range of operative relationship with respect to the steering axis, and for adjusting the range of movement in one direction.

A further object is' to generally improve and refine certain details of the axle construction shown in my prior patent.

Further objects will become apparent as the specification proceeds in connection with the annexed drawing, and from the appended claims.

In the drawing,

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view of a steering drive axle embodying the invention; and

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure l but shows a modified form of axle of the invention.

With continued reference to the drawing a stationary housing Ill, having a ball portion II,

is adapted to be secured to the-vehicle by springs or in any other' suitable well known manner.

A driving axle shaft I2 in housing Ill is connected to any suitable prime mover. In the presentinstance, however, I have shown the axle as being associated with a motor` vehicle with shaft I2 splined in the differential side gear (not shown) for free axial movement. Ball portion II is also provided with a lubricant plug I3, and a pair of trunnions Il.

Journaled on trunnions I4, by means of a pair of anti-friction bearings I5, are a pair of mating housing sections I6 and I'I, the latter being detachably secured together along a plane containing the axis of lthe trunnions to form a unitarymovable housing, as shown in Patent No. o 1,995,987, so no other further description thereof will be given. The bottom bearing is held in place by a detachable cap I8 and top bearing is retained in place by a combined cap and drag link arm I9. v Y 4 A hollow spindle 2l is detachably secured to housing section Il by bolts 22, and is accordingly mounted for steering movement on housing lil about .a substantially vertical axis. It is illustrated as having a'hub at 24 journaled ther by means of anti-friction bearings 25` and 26, and is secured in place by a lock nut assemblyl 21. The hub is provided with a flange 28, to which brake-drum 29 is secured, and also upon which a vehicle wheel (not shown) may be der mountably supported. 'I'he driving connection between shaft I2 and the hub is preferably constructed as follows:

vShaft I2 is provided with splines 3| and a shoulder 32. The well known form of Rzeppa form of universal joint has been illustrated in the drawing as coupling the shafts, and it comprises an inner member 33 having splines meshing with splines 3I, and is pulled into engagement with shoulder 32 by means of bolts 34 and a ring 35, the latter abutting the rear face of the shoulder. The' jointalso employs `a plurality of balls 36 riding in races 3l and 4I! provided in member 33 and an outer member 38 respectively. Member 39 and Aan integrally formed shaft portion 39 having a bore 4I therein. Proper positioning of the balls to bisect the angle between shafts I 2 and 39 is effected in well known manner by means of a pilot lever 42 cooperating at one end with a plunger 43 seating in bore 4I and acted upon by a pair of springs 44 and 45, and at the other end fits in a cup 46 in the end of shaft I2. The intermediate' portion of lever 42 engages a cage member 41 cooperating with balls 36, so that when spindle 2l turns about the trunnions, lever 42 will rock the cage in me direction to dispose the balls in the proper plane.

By reason of the positive connection between member 33 and shaft I2, and the fact that members 33, 41 and 38 are coupled together by spherical surfaces, shafts I2 and 39 are restrained against axial movement relatively to each other, but they undergo bodily axial movement by reason of the spline connection of shaft I2 to the differential side gear. Although I have illustrated a specific form of universal joint, for purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, it is to be understood that any other suitable type of universal joint may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention, irrespective of whether it is of the accelerating or non-accelerating type. 'I'he novel oating shaft v and stop combination of the invention will now be set forth, it being understood that for the most part the structure so far described is shown in my prior patent.

The axis about which spindle 2I turns in undergoing steering movements will hereinafter be' referred to as the steering axis, and it is designated in the drawing by the line 5I; The axis or point about which shafts I2 and 39 rock with respect to each other when the axle undergoes steering movement will hereinafter be referred to as the oscillating axis, and it is designated in the drawing by the reference character 52. The drawing illustrates the parts in the ideal condition for perfect operation, namely, oscillating axis 52 is coincident with line 5I, the steering axis of the assembly.

'I'he inner end of shaft 39 is journaled in a bushing 53 secured in spindle 2I and is provided with the usual oil distributing groove 54. Bushing 53 is also provided with an axially directed abutment face 55 which `cooperates with an abutment face 56 provided on shaft 39.

It is accordingly apparent that when shoulder 56 has been brought into engagement with abutment 55, through movement of shaft 39 to the left. the entire shaft assembly is restrained against further outward movement. I preferably so dimension the parts that when the oscillating axis 52 is in alignment with the steeringaxis5l,asshowninthedraw ing,arunning clearance of approximately one sixty-fourth of an inch exists between Surfaces 55 and 56, In

other words, these surfaces permit only one sixty-fourth of an inch outward movement of,

the shaft and universal joint assembly with respect to the steering axis.

Inward movement of the shafts and universal joint is preferably limited by the following as slidably and preferably sealingly mounted. Cap 6B is secured to the end of shaft39 by a pair of cap screws 61 and is pulled into tight engagement with the end of the shaft.

The outer ends of splines 63 form a shoulder of abutment cooperating with cap 65, and the parts are preferably so dimensioned, that when the oscillating and steering axes are coincident as shown in the drawing, a clearance 59 exists between cap 66 and the end of splines 83. In practice I find that, if a clearance of three thirtyseconds of an inch is provided between ,cap 56 and the outer ends of splines 63, a very satisfactorily operating construction is provided. In other words, if during steering movement of the spindle, shaft 39 must move inwardly to compensate for angularity of the joint, it may move inwardly a distance of three thirty-seconds of an l a smooth bore 65 in which a cap member 66 is inch before it is stopped through engagement of cap 66 with splines 63. I have found that by providing the clearances just discussed the universal joint undergoes a self-centering action with respect to the steering axis during the steering operation.

The free axial movement of the shaft and uni-v versal joint assembly is also provided for the following further reasons:

Roller type wheel bearings are always manufactured to a plus .015 tolerance in width, and this tolerance on bearing 26 tends to push hub 24 outwardly and increase the dimension between the ange of sleeve 62 and shoulder 55 o f bushing 53, which would tend to gall shoulder 56 against the bushing, unless an inward float were provided.

Also, most drive axles are so designed as to undergo torsional wind-up" under heavy shocks, so as to avoid failure. Therefore, under heavy loading, shaft I2 will tend to wind up, either under direct torque or torsion, or torsional shock, and foreshorten, and should the splines in the differential temporarily restrict axial movement, the universal joint and shaft 39 may move inwardly sufficiently to compensate for this action. 'I'he axial sliding of the parts also compensates for other inaccuracies of the component parts of the axle, Vsuch as the surrounding housing, or the overall length of the main housing, and eliminates all deflections ofthe axle shafts.

If it is desired, either in the-initial manufacture or for the purpose of securing an adjustment in the ileld, a plurality of shims 'II may be provided between hub 24 and sleeve 62, so that by disassembling the puts and removing one or more shims the degree of inward movement may be increased, or by inserting additional shims clearance 63 may be decreased. This mak it possible to provide any degree of clearance desired. The clearance'between faces 55 and 55 is primarily a running clearance, and therefore does not usually require adjustment. It should be understood that both clearances are exagllarg'fej'clearanceffl?` (approidmatelyone sixteenthl gerated in the drawing to more clearly illustrate this feature.- However, if it is desired to adjust this clearance, shims may be inserted between vtheclamping faces of the. spindle.. and housingv member I'l.` l i Ifdesired, the parts may beso related that outward movement of the. shaft and universal joint' assemblyis limited by non-rubbing parts, and in Figure 2 I havedisclosed a construction of this character.

Referring to Figure 2, shaft 39 is provided with a shoulder '|2"which cooperates withthe inner end of-` sleeve 62' to limit loutward movement ofi shaft 39, andifdesired, a "one sixty-fourthy inch clearance may. be provided to fallow a slight outoat. In this forni of the invention, since outward movement' -of the? shaft and universal joint assembly is 'limited b'y'fsleeve 62; a' comparatively inchl" 'is provided between bushing v53 and thel shoulder on the shaft, so as'to avoid ,contact betweenthese parts. j l l This axle maybe adjusted Air! "thesame manner ,asl theflrst described form,'by inserting'or removing shimsll. `In"this` form of the invention,-

howeven' theI shim adjustment equallyy affects both the outer and'innerY limits of movement of the parts, since teects'axial Amovement of sleeve sz, .which umts f both* the inward and,` outward' movements of the assembly. In other words, ad-` justing the sleeve outwardly will effect exactly equal outward movement of both' the inner and outer. stop faces, and vice versa.

It isalsoto be understood that, if desired, shims A 14 may be placed undercap 66 to adjust the degrec of infloat of the axle and shaft assembly in both forms ofthe invention. A' n Itis accordinglyrapparent that I have provided novel steering drive axle assemblies in which the shafts and universal jdint arefree to undergo a limited amount of axial movement as'the spindle undergoes steering movement, so that the oscillating axis may automatically center itself with respect to the-steering `axisand that through the f use of this novel construction the cost of` the axles are materially reduced; and yet the eniciency,.quietness and life of the constructions are considerably improved.I Also, the axles are so designed that adjustments may be effected to increase or decrease the amount of axial movement of the shaft and universal joint assembly.

Although IA preferably, limit inward movement of the partsby having cap 66 engage the, ends of splines 63, because these parts are rotating' at the same angular speed and no rubbing engagement occurs, it is to be understood that,I if desired, inward movement of the assembly may be limited by having an axially directed surface engage one of the housings without departing from the spirit of the invention and the appended claims are intended to embrace myinvention when it assumes this form. Also the trunnions may be secured in the movable Yhousing rather than in housing I0 ifdesired.` l

'I'he invention may be embodied in other speclc forms without departing from the spirit or essen.-

tial characteristics thereof. The present embodi ,ments are, therefore.' to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by, the foregoing description,`

and all changes, which come -within the meaning A andr range of equivalency of the claims, are, therefore,`intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

'1. In a steeringl drive axle, a stationary housing and a hollow spindle pivotably connected for steering movements; a driving shaft in said stationary housing; a driven shaft in said spindle;

a universal joint interconnecting said shafts for synchronous rotation; a hub journalled on said spindle; means coupling said hub to saiddriven shaft forsynchronous. rotation, but permitting free relative axial movement therebetween ,s where-- by said -drivingand driven shafts and said uni-- versal jointl may yundergo bodily endwise movement with respect to-said housing and spindle; means for limiting outward movement of said shafts, comprising a surface associated with said spindleadapted to engage an axially directed surface on said driven shaft; and Vmeans for limit` ing inward movement of said shafts, comprising a second pair of axiallyrdirected surfaces, saidi pairs of surfaces being `spaced apart to provide' a predetermined degree of' axial movement of said'l movement; a hub journalled on the outside of said spindle 'and restrained against axial movement with respect to said spindle; means coupling said hub to said driven shaft for synchronous rotation, but permitting relative axial movement therebetween, whereby said driving andv driven shafts and said universal joint .may undergo bodily endwise movement with respect to said housing and spindle; means for `limiting outward movement of said shafts, comprising a surface associated with said spindle adapted to engage an `axially directed surface on said driven shaft; and means for limiting inward movement of said shafts, comprising a vsecond pair of surfaces normally disposed in axially spaced relationship and cooperating with said first-named pair of surfaces to maintain said universal joint with its oscillating axis adjacent the axis of pivotal movement of said spindle on said housing', but allowing a limited degree of movement to one side of said pivotalA axis, to afford a self-centering action of said universal'joint.

3'. In a steering'drivel axle, a stationary housing; a hollow spindle mounted for pivotal movement about a steering axis on said stationary housing; a driving shaft in said stationary housing; a driven shaft in said spindle; a universal joint having an oscillating axis located adjacent said steering axis and interconnecting said shafts for synchronous rotation andn restraining them against vr'elatirve'axial movement; a hub journailed on the outside of `said spindle and restrained against axial movement with respect to said spindle; means coupling said hub to said driven shaft for synchronous rotation, but Yper-- mitting relative axial movement therebetween, whereby said driving and driven shafts and said universal joint may undergo bodily endwisemovement with respect to said housing and spindle; a cap detachably secured to the outer end of said driven shaft and slidably disposed in the outer :sol

end of.said spindle; means for limiting outward movement of said shafts, comprising a surface associated with said spindle adapted to engage an axially directed surface associated with said driven shaft; and means for limiting inward movement of said shafts, comprising a second pair of surfaces axially spaced apart and cooperating with said rst-named pair of surfaces to provide a limited degree of inward and outward movement of said driving and driven shafts and said universal joint with respect to said spindle and housing, to thereby permit said steering and oscillating axes to undergo a self-centering action when said spindle undergoes steering movement.

4. In a steering drive axle, a stationaryr housing; a hollow spindle pivotally connected to said housing for steering movements about a fixed axis; a driving shaft in said stationary housing; a driven shaft in said4 spindle; a universal joint having an oscillating axis located adjacent said steering axis and interconnecting said shafts for synchronous rotation and restraining them against relative axial movement; a hub jour? nailed on the outside of said spindle and restrained against axial movement with .respect to' said spindle; a flanged sleeve member splined over the outer end of said driven shaft for synchronous rotation therewith, whereby said driving and driven shafts and said universal joint may undergo bodily endwise movement withk respect-to said housing and spindle; means for adjustably securing said flange to said hub for endwise movement into selected axial positions; the splines in said sleeve terminating short of the outer end to provide a smooth-walled recess; a cap,slidably and sealingly associated with said recess and detachably secured to said shafts; means for limiting outward movement of said shafts, comprising a surface associated with said spindle and adapted to engage an axially directed surface associated with said driven shaft; and means for'limiting inward movement of said shafts, comprising a second pair of surfaces axially spaced apart and cooperating with said first-named pair of surfaces to provide a limited degree of inward and outward movement of said driving and driven shafts and said universal joint, to thereby permit said oscillating axis to undergo a self-centering action with respect to said fixed axis.

5. In a steering drive axle, a stationary housing; a driving shaft in said housing; a hollow spindle pivotally connected to said housing for steering movements about a fixed axis; a driven shaft rotatable in said spindle; a universal joint having an oscillating axis located adjacent said fixed axis and interconnecting said shafts for synchronous rotation and restraining them against relative axial movement; a hub journalled on said spindle and restrained against .axial movement with respect to said spindle; an internally splined sleeve coupling said hub to said driven shaft for synchronous rotation, but permitting relative axial movement therebetween, whereby said driving and driven shafts and said universal joint, may undergo bodily endwise movement with respect to said housing and spindle; means for limiting outward movement of said shafts, comprising a surface associated with said spindle adapted to engage an axially directed surface on said driven shaft; and means for limiting inward movement of said shafts, comprising axially spaced surfaces associated with said hub and said' sleeve adapted to abut each other when said shafts move inwardly a predetermined distance, thereby permitting said oscillating axis to undergo a self-aligning action with respect to said xed axis.

6. In a steering drive axle, a stationary housing; a driving shaft in said housing; a hollow spindle pivotally connected to said housing for steering movements about a fixed axis; a driven shaft rotatable in a bushing in said spindle; a universal jointhaving an oscillating axis located adjacent said fixed axis and interconnecting said shafts for synchronous rotation and restraining them against relative axial movement; a hub journalled on said spindle and restrained against axial movement with respect to said spindle; an internally splined sleeve coupling said hub -to said driven shaft for synchronous rotation, but permitting relative axial movement therebetween, whereby said driving and driven shafts and said universal joint may undergo bodily endwise movement with 'respect to said housing and spindle; means for limiting outward movement of said shafts, comprising a surface on said bushing adapted to be engaged by an axially directed surface onV said driven shaft; and means for limiting inward movement of said shafts, comprising axially spaced surfaces associated with said hub and said sleeve adapted to abut each vother when said shafts move inwardly a predetermined distance, thereby permitting said oscillating axis to undergo a self-aligning action With respect to said fixed axis.

'7. In a steering drive axle, a stationaryhousing; a driving shaft in said housing; a hollow spindle pivotally connected to said housing for steering movements about a fixed axis; a driven shaft rotatable in said spindle; a universal joint having an oscillating axis located adjacent'said fixed axis and interconnectingl said shafts for synchronous rotation and restraining them against relative axial movement; a hub journalled on said spindle and restrained against axial movement with respect to said spindle; an internally splined sleeve coupling said hub to said driven shaft for synchronous rotation, but permitting relative axial movement therebetween, whereby said driving and driven shafts and said universal joint may undergo bodily endwise movement with respect to said housing and spindle; means for limiting outward movement of said shafts, comprising a surface associated with said spindle adapted to engage an axially directed surface on said driven shaft; and means for limiting inward movement of said shafts, comprising a cap secured to the outer end of said driven shaft and 'slidably mounted in said sleeve and adapted to abut a shoulder in said sleeve when said shafts move inwardly a predetermined distance, thereby permitting said oscillatingaxis to undergo a selfaligning action with respect to said fixed axis.

8. In a steering drive axle, a stationary housing; a driving shaft in said housing; a hollow spindle pivotally connected to said housing for steering movements about a fixed axis; a driven shaft rotatable in a bushing in said spindle; a universal joint having an oscillating axis located adjacent-said fixed axis and interconnecting said shafts for synchronous rotation and restraining.

universal joint may undergo bodily endwise movement with respect to said housing and spindle; means for limiting outward movement of said shafts, comprising a' surface' on said bushing adapted to be engaged by an axially directed surface on said driven shaft; means for limiting inlWard movement of said shafts, comprising a cap secured to said driven shaft and adapted to abut a shoulder on said sleeve when said shafts move inwardly a predetermined distance, thereby permitting said oscillating axis to undergo a selfaligning action with respect to said fixed axis, and

means for adjusting said sleeve axially with respect to said hub, for adjusting the limit of inward movement of said shafts and universal' Joint.

9. The axle construction defined in claim 8, wherein said cap Vis sealingly associated with the interior of said sleeve for preventing lubricant from escaping from said spindle.

10. The axle construction dened in claim 8, wherein said splines in said sleeve terminate short of the outer end thereof to provide said shoulder.

11. In a steering driveaxle, a stationary housing; a driving shaft in said housing; a hollow `spindle pivotally connected to said housing for steering movements about a. fixed axis; a driven shaft rotatable in said spindle; a universal joint having an oscillating axis located adjacent said fixed axis and interconnecting said shafts for synchronous rotation and restraining them against relative axial movement; a hub journalled on said spindle and restrained against axial movement with respectthereto, said hub having a sleeve portion extending into said spindle and slidably but non-rotatably connected to said driven shaft, and means on said sleeve portion of said hub for limiting axial movement of said driven shaft in both directions, whereby said oscillating axis may undergo a self-aligning aetion with respect to said xed axis, within the limitsl provided by said last-named means.

BEVERLY W. 

